Accelerometers move into consumer applications

The SCA3000 is a three-axis accelerometer that can be used to measure acceleration, and detect motion and inclination.

A new family of three-axis accelerometers from VTI Technologies offer an opportunity to open up novel consumer applications.

The SCA3000 is a three-axis accelerometer that can be used to measure acceleration, and detect motion and inclination.

It can be used in portable navigation devices, sports equipment, handheld devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants etc.

"VTI's three-axis accelerometers set a brand new standard to sensor technology".

"Three dimensional microelectromechanical manufacturing technology (3D-MEMS) enables integration of small, mechanical sensor elements and components into customer's products".

"The SCA3000 breaks new ground when it comes to low current performance".

"It is the lowest current consuming device in the market today", says Pekka Kostiainen, Product Manager of VTI Technologies.

"This helps to prolong the battery life, which is critical for good user experience in many consumer applications".

"GPS receivers assisted by acceleration sensors offer significantly improved user experience, providing better coverage and accuracy also in bad signal conditions", explains Kostiainen.

Ultralow current consumption, on the other hand, enables acceleration data logging applications that have not been possible before, for example in sports equipment such as pedometers and activity monitors.

Breaking down the cost and performance barriers to the increased use of sensing technology in consumer and industrial applications is an objective for VTI.

The company has taken a significant step towards this direction with the introduction of the SCA3000 family.

Not only because of its price and performance characteristics but also because of its design that simplifies the software development and maintenance effort needed to incorporate the sensor into customer's equipment and systems.

This can be achieved, eg by using the additional memory of the SCA3000.

VTI is launching four different versions of the SCA3000 that offer a variety of interface and current consumption options to cover the broad range of applications.

The lowest current consuming version is the SCA3000-E01 which consumes only 120uA from a 2.5V supply in continuous operation.

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